St Patricks Day

Being of Irish descent, St Patrick’s Day resonates with me. But it is also my mother’s birthday. She turned 92 this year on the 17th March. We have had many celebrations over the years including one of her birthdays that we spent in an Irish Pub with lots of music, frovolity and Harp beer. My father joined in with the band to sing some Irish songs with great gusto. It was a fabulous day which I will always remember fondly.

But why and how, apart from it being my mother’s birthday, do we celebrate St Patricks Day?

St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and lived in the fifth century. Tradition says that he died on 17th March. According to historical beliefs, he was kidnapped and taken from his native land and was away for six years. On his return to Ireland he became a priest with the express life goal of converting pagan Irish to christianity.

St Patricks’ Day is widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora all over the world, in countries such as North America, Canada and Australia with parades and festivals. The way it is celebrated is heavily influenced by the diaspora of each country. In Chicago, the river has been dyed green for the last 63 years. We Aussies have been known to drink green beer. The wearing of green clothing is also a tradition in many places.

Do you celebrate St Patrick’s Day? Please comment and share how you celebrate.